How to Get Rid of Mold in a Terrarium
The ultimate goal of most people wanting to know how to get rid of mold in a terrarium is aesthetic appeal. Plants provide calming affect and can transform a dull terrarium into one with incredible color and life. Unfortunately, there are some species of plants that produce toxic spores which can make the problem worse for the fish. Knowing how to get rid of mold in a terrarium falls into the realm of knowing how to use the environment to the benefit of the species involved.
There are several different species of toxic plants. One important thing to note is that some plants can actually “breath” toxic spores into the air, which can pose a health risk to your fish while they are growing in the terrarium. Controlling the amount of air, the plants absorb is one way to limit this, but how to get rid of mold in a terrarium involves an additional step.
Controlling the air circulation around your terrarium is just the first step. The conditions inside the terrarium are a matter of particular concern since these can affect the growth of the microorganisms involved. Most importantly, any water particles on the terrarium floor will pick up air particles and become airborne, thus introducing them to the air in your terrarium. If you have large pieces of driftwood or other debris on the bottom of the terrarium, it is important to periodically wipe this piece out. This is because large pieces of wood can sometimes be a source of breeding ground for certain types of microorganisms. Using a vacuum cleaner to extract the soil from these pieces can help get rid of unwanted mold spores in your terrarium.
The next step in learning how to get rid of mold in a terrarium is understanding the effect that different types of chemicals have on the growth of your chosen microorganisms. Any type of organic material should be removed from the terrarium to reduce the amount of food sources available to the microorganisms. It is important to keep in mind that most species of plants require sunlight in order to grow. Therefore, removing any organic or non-organic material from the terrarium plants can help them thrive.
If you are wondering how to get rid of mold in a terrarium with a UV lamp, there are a few things to consider. Sunlight can actually kill the beneficial bacteria in your terrarium, so removing any dead or dying vegetation would be a good first step. Some UV lamps will also emit heat in the process, so keep this in mind if you are not growing plants in your terrarium. Also, be aware that this type of lamp can cause your terrarium plants to change colors, especially if placed near a UV lamp. These effects are caused by carbon dioxide released by the lamp and can last up to 30 minutes, so it is recommended not to place your terrarium near a UV source for extended periods of time.
Another piece of advice on how to get rid of mold in a terrarium is to keep an eye out for any red splotches on your pieces of glass or plastic. These are moisture seeping areas and can help in the growth of mold if left unchecked. Once you begin to see signs of moisture seeping into the cracks on your pieces, remove everything from your terrarium until the water has dried up. Once this is accomplished, repot your plants and give them a full day to recover. This process may need to be repeated throughout the year depending on how much exposure your plants have to water.
If you are interested in learning how to get rid of mold in a terrarium, you may also consider growing or buying a variety of plants that are native to your area. In fact, some of the easiest and least expensive ways on how to get rid of mold in a terrarium are by growing your own. Unlike trying to simply remove the entire species of mold from your terrarium, growing your own will save you a lot of money in supplies and labor. Furthermore, you will know exactly where the moisture is coming from so you can make sure that your plants don’t get severely stressed if you’re not paying close attention to where the moisture is coming from.
While it is true that learning how to get rid of mold in a terrarium can be fun and rewarding, it is important to remember that you need to have patience when doing this task. Don’t expect to see results overnight. It will take several weeks or months of diligent work before you can finally say goodbye to those unsightly black or green specks in your terrarium. However, once they’re gone, you’ll never want to go back to the old terrarium again!